From the moment Anderson Varejao's season ended on Dec. 18 against Toronto, Tristan Thompson became a new man.

In his first 26 games before Varejao's knee injury, Thompson averaged 8.3 points and 7.6 rebounds and was shooting 46.6 percent from the field.

In the subsequent 25 games, the 6-foot-9, 227-pounder is averaging 14.6 points and 10.6 rebounds and shooting 53.4 percent from the field.

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Thompson, 21, has 18 double-doubles on the season, including 13 in his last 25 games.

From watching video of the Cavs for their recent game against Charlotte, Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap could see the influence of Cavs assistant coach Jamahl Mosley on Thompson.

"You can tell Mosley is working with him from watching tape," Dunlap said. "He's an explosive player from 15 (feet) and in."

Dunlap said he was an assistant coach with Mosley in Denver.

During a recent game against Oklahoma City, Thunder forward Kevin Durant revealed that Thompson was a focal point of their scouting report. That was a compliment to Thompson.

"It makes me hungrier," the Cavs forward said. "I have to add new things to my game. It's an honor."

Cavs coach Byron Scott said the game is slowing down for Thompson.

"I always go by when you got young guys, the pace of the game, the speed of the game," he said. "With Tristan, last year at this particular time, it was probably at 100 (mph). Now it's probably at 50. The game has slowed down so much for him. He understands exactly what's going on out there. And it will continue to slow down for him."

Scott has finally started running some plays for Thompson.

He's been able to score with his push shots in the lane, as well as jump hooks with either hand.

"I think he's realized he can still be very effective without us necessarily throwing him the ball 15-20 times a game," Scott said. "I've run about four or five plays a game for him. The other stuff he's just kind of getting on his own."

The Cavs (16-35) almost want him to forget he was the No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft.

"The biggest thing is just trying to take the attitude that the No. 4 pick is supposed to do certain things," Scott said. "I thought in his mind that meant he has to average 17, 18 or 20 points. That's not the reason we drafted him.

"I think he's starting to realize he can still average 12, 13, 14 points a game and nine or 10 rebounds a game without necessarily having plays run through him just because of his activity and athleticism."

Thompson is still a work in progress. The Cavs eventually would like him to be able to make a mid-range shot.

"His progress has been fantastic and his production has been great this year," Scott said.

"Now with the way he's playing, we'll try to get him some touches in the post. He'll get some touches if he runs the floor.

"I'm just proud of him. He didn't start listening to what everybody was saying. He stuck to doing the things we felt he needed to do. Now he's starting to see the progress he's making."

Scott is happy Thompson has become a hub in the offense instead of a hole. A hub facilitates the offense and can pass the ball. A hole shoots it as soon as he touches the ball.

He has become very effective around the basket.

"He's really looking for guys," Scott said.

Thompson isn't trying to back down bigger players as much in the post.

He's catching the ball and going into his offensive move. He's not getting as many shots blocked, either.

"The one thing we're trying to tell him this year is even if you catch it on the post, go quick," Scott said. "Use your speed and athleticism. Don't try to bang with these guys. Even though we know you've been in the weight room and added some weight, if it's not that they're stronger, it's that they're 2 or 3 inches taller. So use your speed and athleticism."